Each year, NatWest runs a study to calculate the Student Living Index. In the study, they look at things like the cities with the highest student income. So if you want to know where the best place to work as a student is, then read on!
The figures are based on term-time income.
29. Southampton
Southampton students reported an average term-time income of only £820.10, which may explain why a study shows that Southampton students are only relatively happy. Although, to match the low income, the drinks prices in Southampton are also reasonably low. If you have enough pints, you may even forget about the wages…
28. Glasgow
Glasgow students only earn an average term-time income of £838.10, meaning there isn’t that much spare for those famous Welsh pubs. Yet, they still haven’t made the top 20 cities that borrow the most from their parents.
27. Plymouth
If you study in Plymouth, you can expect an average term-time income of £911.10, which leaves just enough to enjoy the £3.10 pints. Just careful you don’t overindulge!
26. Cardiff
Anyone studying in Cardiff should expect an average term-time income of £929.30. That’s a fair amount, leaving Cardiff students with enough cash to score themselves 9th on the hardest partiers list!
25. Aberdeen
Students in Aberdeen reported an average term-time income of £938.90, which may explain their reliance on the bank of mum and dad. Or, sorry – the bank of ma’ and da’. Between the term-time income and £350 from their parents each month, Aberdeen students have just enough to cover their £3.80 pints.
24. Nottingham
Those studying alongside Robin Hood earn an average term-time income of £959.60, and so no wonder the inventor of Whetherspoons came up with such a cheap pub chain! Likewise, no wonder Nottingham students are in the top 25 partying cities.
23. Norwich
Anyone studying in the quaint Norfolk city can budget around an average term-time income of £968.20, which is less scary than it sounds for a city whose average rent is under £400 a month.
22. Poole
Students living in Poole reported an average term-time income of £974.80, which will cover their average priced pints, but maybe not their high-end rents. Although if you’re desperate to live near the country, then maybe it’s all worth it!
21. Belfast
People studying in Belfast have an average term-time income of £974.90, which will score you so many pints you won’t know what to do with them. But is anyone really surprised? Stereotypes exist for a reason!
20. Coventry
Anyone in Coventry can expect an average term-time income of £978.80, which will more than cover the rent – but you may need a top-up to be able to afford the crazy partying!
19. Canterbury
Those studying in the heart of Kent reported an average term-time income of £980.80, which just about covers the relatively steep student rent, but will definitely score you plenty of £3.50 pints. But no need to re-evaluate priorities – instead Canterbury students just borrow of their folks, a whopping £200 plus a month!
18. Newcastle
Anyone studying in Newcastle can expect an average term-time income of £987.40, which will cover their cheap pints easily! Especially when the average Newcastle student borrows £230.10 a month from their parents on top of that!
17. Sheffield
Students studying in party city Sheffield reported an average term-time income of £997.50, which clearly is enough to get partying, as Sheffield is the 3rd most alcoholic city in the UK!
16. Portsmouth
For anyone studying by the sea in Portsmouth, you can expect an average term-time income of £1,018.90. That explains how they can afford to spend so much time partying, especially with pints for only £3.50.
15. Swansea
Swansea students reported an average term-time income of £1026.30, so they’ve got more than enough cash to go and have a couple of £2.90 pints. We wonder if there’s a correlation between pint cost and the crudeness of students, considering Swansea’s status as one of the top 15 unis having the most sex.
14. Leeds
If you go to study in Leeds, you have the chance of earning an average term-time income of £1033.10. This leaves just enough for Leeds students to go have a few averagely costed pints.
13. Bristol
For Bristolian students, you can expect an average term-time income of £1072.70. Maybe if more of that was spent on dates and less on nights out – Bristol wouldn’t be the 11th most single city in the UK.
12. Exeter
Exeter students reported an average term-time income of £1084.80, which gets topped up by an average parental loan of £269.40 a month. No wonder they can afford to party their way to 15th hardest partiers!
11. York
York students reported an average term-time income of £1107.10, which is plenty to cover their quiet nightlife and £3.50 pints.
10. Liverpool
Liverpudlians can expect an average term-time income of £1129, which will moe than cover their reputable cheap student nights out!
9. Brighton
Anyone studying in Brighton has the chance of earning an average term-time income of £1129.60, which is very much needed for their high student rents and above-average alcohol budgets!
8. Leicester
Leicester students reported earning an average term-time income of £1136.60, which leaves plenty left after their relatively cheap student rent!
7. London
Students studying in the capital earn an average term-time income of £1137.30, which will be mostly spent on the extortionate £700+ rents throughout the capital.
6. Birmingham
Brummy students can be proud to earn an average term-time income of £1159.60, which most Birmingham students seem to find is best spent on the brilliant Birmingham nightlife!
5. Edinburgh
If you study in Edinburgh, the average term-time income is £1166. Yet for some reason, Edinburgh students don’t spend any of their spare cash pursuing romance… maybe its because they’re already in the top 10 cities having the most sex. Save the cash for those wild nights out, right?
4. Durham
For those studying in one of the most prestigious cities, your average term-time income is £1175.50
3. Oxford
Oxford students can expect an average term-time income of £1310.50. But for some reason they still borrow the 2nd highest amount from their parents, a whole £376.50! Maybe it’s because they’re too busy partying and studying to work part-time…
2. Manchester
Students in Manchester revealed an average term-time income of £1391.70, which may seem like a great amount, but when pints are nearer to £4 than £3, and rents are over £400 on average, suddenly it’s all gone! So we aren’t surprised to hear that Manchester students borrow over £200 from their parents each month.
1. Cambridge
Finally, students studying in Cambridge can expect the highest average term-time income of £1447.20, and yet for some reason, they’re still borrowing off of mum and dad…
If you are a student and you’re worried about money, maybe consider setting up a side-hustle, or trying to get free food as often as possible by signing up for loyalty apps. We’ve also got some tips about how to make your student loan last, and how many weeks you should be paying for accommodation.
